Radial press



Sept. 29, 1964 D. H. NEWHALL 1 RADIAL PRESS Filed May 51, 1961 5Sheets-Sheet l Septv 1964 D. H. NEWHALL' 3,150,412

" RADIAL PRESS Filed May 31, 1961 jo j! 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 29, 1964 D.H. NEWHALL 3,150,412

RADIAL PRESS Filed May 31, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 D. H. NEWHALL Sept. 29,1964 RADIAL PRESS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 31, 1961 Sept. 1964 D. H.NEWHALL 3,150,412

RADIAL PRESS Filed May 51, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent3,150,412 RADIAL PRESS Donald H. Newhali, Walpole, Mass, assignor toHarwood Engineering Qompany, Walpole, Mass., a corporation ofMassachusetts Filed May 31, 1961, @er. No. 113,763 7 Claims. (Cl.18-455) The present invention relates to improvements in a high pressurepress.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide a press which is ofsimple and efficient construction, is compact, and at the same timecapable of effecting a substantial compression of the subject materialat the very high pressures required which may amount to several millionpounds per square inch, and which is capable of producing these resultswith a minimum expenditure of power.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a high pressure pressof this general description having a plurality of cooperatingwedge-shaped press members hereinafter referred to as punches in whichthere is provided a novel, and effective means to apply pressures of thesame amount simultaneously to a plurality of said press members andthereby to generate the desired pressure in a sample under test.

In accordance with the objects above noted, a feature of the inventionconsists in the provision of a novel pressure applying means in the formof a pressure exerting cylinder within which are fitted a series oftapered punches having space enclosing tips, in combination with asuitable means for exerting a powerful compressive pressure against saidcylinder evenly about the periphery thereof, which will effectivelyreduce the diameter of the cylinder and thereby produce an identicalinward movement of each individual punch at a uniformly graded pressure.f

In the preferred form of the invention shown the pressure exertingcylinder assembly comprises a metallicpressure exerting cylinder whichis surrounded by a jacket through which fluid under pressure is appliedto compress the cylinder wall into a substantially reduced diameterwithin the limits of resiliency of the material employed, and thereby toexert a corresponding compressive pressure on the punches containedwithin said cylinder.

It is another object of the invention to provide a high pressure pressof the general type illustrated in which punches may be readilysubstituted for one another from a large selection of punches ofdifferent kinds for the processing of samples of many different shapesand sizes and under widely varying conditions.

With these and other objects in View as may hereinafter appear, theseveral features of the invention consist in the devices, combinationsand arrangements of parts hereinafter set forth which together with theadvantages to be obtained thereby will be readily understood by oneskilled in the art from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

' FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a high pressure press embodyingtherein the several features of the invention; FIG. 2 is a fragmentaryview in elevation and partly in section illustrating one of thesupporting and centering springs for the pressure cylinder;

FIG. 3 is a detail exploded perspective view of two axially opposedpunches and the spacer members associated therewith;

FIG. 4 is a view in front elevation partly in section of a radial pressembodying the several features of the invention;

punches fully compressed.

3,150,412 Patented-Sept. 29,- 1964 FIG. 5 is an enlarged detailsectional view illustrating particularly the jacketed pressure cylindertogether with the press members shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on a line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the wedgeshaped press members;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional plan view similar to FIG. 7, showingthe load distribution through the wedge-shaped punches;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the load distributionwhen the air spaces between adjacent punches are closed;

FIG. 10 is a detail sectional side view of a cylindrical sample made upto test a specimen wire;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic View in vertical section illustrating onemethod of providing additional pressure support for the verticalpunches, in a system adapted for the testing of a cylindrical sample;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic plan sectiontaken on a line 12-12 of FIG. 11illustrating horizontally acting punches having a concave tip portion toreceive said cylindrical sample;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional plan view showing a modified form ofpunch including a hard steel base portion and a carbide tip portion;

FIG. 14 is a plan section taken on a line 1414 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view in elevation of the pressure cylinder havingmounted thereon four punches engaging a sample having the shape of atetrahedron;

FIG. 16 is a plan section taken on a line 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view in elevation illustrating an arrangement ofeight punches in applicants press adapted for testing an eight-sidedsample; v FIG. 18 is a plan section taken on a line 1818 of FIG. 17;

. FIG. 19 is a fragmentary View of a spherical sample tested by thearrangement of punches shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 but with the tips formedas concaved spherical segments;

FiG. 20 is a sectional view in elevation illustrating an alternativearrangement of six punches adapted for the testing of a sphericalsample;

1 FIG. 21 is a plan section taken on a line 21-21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view in elevation illustrating an arrangement ofsix punches in which the horizontally arranged punches within thepressure cylinder are first moved inwardly to a maximum pressureposition, and further pressure is then applied through the two endpunches;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken on a line 23-23 of FIG. 22, the pressbeing shown in open position;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23, but with the horizontally disposedpunches fully compressed;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view in elevation of a radial press having sixpunches which are adapted to be first brought to a fully compressedposition and thereafter additional pressure applied, as for example byheating the sample with crossing electrical currents;

FIG. 26 is a plan section. of FIG. 25 taken on a line 26-26 of FIG. 25,the several punches being shown in their open position; and

FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 26, but with the several The invention isherein disclosed as embodied in a multiple punch type apparatus whichcomprises a plurality of punches disposed in a spaced enclosing relationin a single plane, which for convenience of illustration will be assumedto be a horizontal plane, each said punch having tapered sides forfitting said punches together to form said enclosed space, and two endpunches cooperating with said plurality .of punches, which forconvenience of illustration will be assumed to operate vertically. Saidend punches and said plurality of circularly arranged punches haveadditionally tapered surfaces which fit together in such a manner as tofurther enclose said space. The faces of the several punches abovedescribed when moved toward one another define a reaction chamber inwhich a specimen material is placed to be subjected to high pressures.

A feature of the illustrated construction consists in the provision of anovel and highly effective device for applying pressure against aplurality of circularly arranged punches, which takes the form of a pairof coaxial cylinders, surrounding the horizontal punches, the axis ofthe cylinders being normal to the plane of the punches, the innercylinder being in contact with the bases of the punches, with anarrangement of conical shoulders or abutments on the cylinders andassociated packing therewith so as to form a fluid jacket or envelope,as particularly shown in FIGS. 5, 11 and 13, which acts, when fluidunder heavy pressure is forced into said jacket or envelope, to bow thewall of the inner cylinder inwardly and thereby to force each of thefour horizontal punches inwardly under an exactly equalized compressivepressure.

In the illustrated construction pressure is applied to the verticallymovable punches by means of a press including a fixed bottom punch plateand a vertically movable top plate.

Another feature of the invention consists in the construction andarrangement of the radial press assembly including the pressurecylinder, the multiple horizontally arranged punches contained therein,and the cooperating axially acting punches, to produce an accuratepositioning of the several elements of said assembly with relation to asample and with the equal spacing required between adjacent punches toinsure the utmost unimpeded advance and most efiicient effort of each ofsaid punches.

The radial press illustrated in the drawings as embodying in a preferredform the several features of the invention comprises a cylindrical punchcontaining assembly 29 supported on a vertical axis and having an insidecompression cylinder 22, referred to as the jacketed cylinder, and anoutside jacket supporting cylinder 24-, referred to as the jacketingcylinder, as shown in FIG. 5. The inside jacketed cylinder 22 is formedat its upper end with a portion of larger diameter providing a shoulder26. The outside jacketing cylinder 24 is formed at its down end with aportion of smaller diameter providing a shoulder 28.

The annular space enclosed between the inside cylinder 22 and outsidecylinder 24, and bounded at the ends by the abutments 26, 28 provides ajacket 36 adapted to receive fluid under very high pressure. The twoends of the jacket are sealed in by means of suitable packings 32 and34. The inside jacketed cylinder 22 is made sufiiciently thin to bestrain-sensitive to the pressure exerted by a medium introduced into thejacket, so that the diameter of the internal surface will becomeappreciably smaller as the jacket pressure is increased. The outsidejacketing cylinder 24 is made up of substantially thicker walls of metaland provides an outer shell of great strength capable of withstandingthe greatest jacket pressure which may be applied.

Contained within the jacketed cylinder 22 are four press members orpunches 36, 38, 4t) and 42, pyramidally shaped, which are disposed aboutthe inner periphery of the jacketed cylinder 22 to substantially enclosea central area within the cylindrical assembly 20 in a horizontal plane.The outer faces of the respective punches 36 to 42 inclusive are formedas segments of a cylinder and are normally in contact with the innersurface of the jacketed cylinder 22. For the retracted oil-pressureposition of the press shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, for example, the punches3t], 33, st) and 42 are spaced apart from one another. As pressure isapplied through the jacket 3%) the jacketed cylinder 22 is con ted sothat the punches move inward- 13/, at the same time reducing but notwholly closing the spaces therebetween.

For fully enclosing, and for applying pressure to said central areavertically, two additional punches 44 and 46 are provided, looselymounted within the cylindrical chamber for axial movement relativethereto. Each of sai riches 44 and 46 is formed with a tapered endportion which is fitted with relation to corresponding tapers formed onthe respective top and bottom sides of the transversely acting punches36, 33, 4t 42, and with a cylindrical base portion which is looselyfitted into the jacketed cylin for axial movement relative thereto.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the bottom punch 46 is fixedly mounted on abase 48 being held in position by ring 49 secured to the base which alsocarries four upright guide posts 59, 51, 52, and 53 A crosshead 54- isrigidly connected across the upper ends of the guide bars 50, 51, 52 and53, to form a rigid frame which includes the base -33, guide posts, andcrosshead 54.

The upper vertical punch 34 is secured to a crosshead which is guidedupon and is vertically movable with relation to said guide posts 50,52.. The punch 44 and crosshead 56 are connected to a ram 58 and ramcylinder 6% which is secured to the fixed crosshead 54. Fluid underpressure is admitted to the cylinder 60 by means of an inlet pipe 62 inorder to apply pressure through the vertical punches 4-4, 46. A secondpressure supply pipe 61 is connected with the lower end of the cylinder69, so that pressure may be applied when so desired to move the verticalpunch upwardly and thereby to relieve the pressure applied against thecentral area of the press, and for the entire removal of the punch 44 tofacilitate the loading and removal of specimens from the press.

It will be understood that the cylindrical assembly 20 is freelyadjustable vertically as a unit so that the punches 36, 38, it) and 42operating in a horizontal plane will be automatically centered withrelation to the two vertical punches 44, 46 as the upper punch 44 movesdownwardly with relation to the stationary punch 46, to apply pressurethrough the press.

The several punches may be readily centered in assembly with relation toeach other by means of two spacing members 63 and 64 (see FIG. 3) whichare made of a light corrugated material and are readily crushed whenpressure is applied. The spacing member 63 is in the shape of atruncated hollow pyramid which fits snugly over the tip portion of thebottom punch 46. Each of the laterally acting punches is then droppedinto position together with the sample. Next the spacing member 64 isintroduced, and finally the top punch 44, which is thus accuratelypositioned with relation to the lateral punches. The press is now readyfor operation.

The entire cylindrical punch containing assembly 20 is movably supportedto assume at all times a mean position between the top and bottompunches 44, 46 which are located respectively by rings 65 and 66 on thecross head 56 and base 48. To this end four vertically disposedsupporting springs including springs 67, 68 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) aresecured at equally spaced intervals about the periphery of thecylindrical punch containing assembly. Each spring is secured at itscenter to the said assembly at the mid-portion thereof and has bowedupper and lower end portions which engage respectively with thecrosshead 56 and base 48. The assembly is thus freely adjustable bothvertically and horizontally with relation ot the vertical punches.

The inner or jacketed cylinder which is preferably made of steel, may bereduced in diameter under pressure by a substantial amount, withoutexceeding the clastic limit of the material, thus imparting a movementof equal and substantial extent to each of the several punches 36, 38,40 and 42 engaged thereby.

An example of the manner in which the applicants radial press willoperate is illustrated by the following example:

The radial press as shown specifically in FIGS. 1 to 7 inclusive,but'employing the carbide tipped punches of FIGS. 13 and 14 of thedrawings is assumed to have a jacketed cylinder 22 with an internaldiameter of 25 inches and a wall thickness of 1 inch. Said cylinder actsthrough composite punches, each having a cylindrical steel base 101 (seeFIGS. 13 and 14) and a cemented carbide tip 102, 2.5 inches thick, upona cubical sample of pipestone, silver chloride, or other material havingthe same compressibility, and having a volume of 3 cubic inches (eachside being 1.443 inches across). Assuming that a jacket pressure of20,000 p.s.i. is applied, the sample will be subjected to a pressure of1,500,000 p.s.i. Under these conditions the compression of the samplewill amount to .084 inch on a side and the loss in volume will amount to17%.

The apparatus above described is capable of developing suificientpressure to enable an investigator to examine a wide range of materialphenomena such, for example,'as polymorphic transitions known to existin materials such as barium, caesium, carbon, bismuth and many othersubstances. The diamond from carbon is a, well-known example of such atransition. The apparatus is simple and economical both in constructionand operation, is readily assembled and. disassembled, and lends itselfmost etfectively to a wide range of experimental techniques. Thejacketed construction described further provides a maximum safeguardagainst hazards resulting from failure of material at the high pressuresnecessarily employed.

An important feature of the construction shown, for example, in FIG. 6consists in the small spaces indicated at 71 between adjacent punches.In this figure a block 72 of somewhat plastic pressure resistantmaterial, for example, talc, pipestone, silver chloride or pyrophyllite,containing a specimen, not shown, is placed in the enclosed area incontact with each of the four punches 36 to 42 inclusive. The top andbottom punches 44, 46 are similarly brought into the press startposition shown in FIG. in which small spaces indicated at 73 areprovided. The spaces 71 and 73 above referred to are chosen of suchwidth that the adjacent punches do not touch one another during t eadvancing or pressure applying movement of the punches. As long as thepunches do not touch, the force from the jacket pressure transmits aradial force only which is directed against the specimen containingblock. Should the punches touch, some of that force would be dissipatedin making a tangential load on ethe punches (see FIG. 9), and butlittle, if any, force would reach the sample, depending upon the area incontact and the ductility of the material in contact.

It will be understood that the distribution of forces in each punch issuch that the small tip portion is required to carry the heaviest loads.Added lateral support is provided for the heavily stressed tip portionof the punch by permitting a small amount of filling material to flowterial.

into the spaces between said punches adjacent said tips.

So long as the air space between adjacent punches is otherwisemaintained, the loss of pressure applied against the sample as a resultof the lateral pressure thus applied is well compensated for in theadded support afforded to the heavily stressed tip of the punch.Assuming that pipestone or pyrophyllite is employed in the constructionof the sample, it is well known that as pressure is built up, a smallamount of this material will fiow into the ends of said separatingspaces thus providing the required lateral support for the heavilystressed tips of the punches.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate an arrangement of the press assembly in whicha cylindrical space is enclosed by the horizontally disposed punches,the ends of said space ple 106 under a very high pressure.

being enclosed by two vertically disposed punches. The

horizontally disposed punches designated generally at 74, 75, 76 and 77are each formed of hard steel and with arcuately shaped tip segments ofcarboloy designated respectively at 78, 7%, 80 and 81. These carboloytips as best shown in FIG. 12 are arcuately shaped to engage with acylindrically shaped sample 82. The horizontally disposed punches abovedescribed are supported within a pressure cylinder which may be thepressure cylinder 22 of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and are separated as best shownin FIG. 12 by spaces 83 which are of suificient width to permit anunimpeded inward movement of the punches. The assembly shown in F168. 11and 12 is further provided with two vertical punches including avertically movable top punch 84 and a bottom punch 86. These punches arecylindrically formed with tapered portions which are arranged to fitinto arcuately shaped end portions of the transverse punches 74 to 77inclusive. As best shown in FIG. 11, each of said vertical punches 84and 86 is provided with a straight cyiindrical end portion which isfitted within the ends of carboloy tips 78 to 81, inclusive, forengagement with the two ends of the sample 82. In this form of thedevice, means are provided for strengthening the two end portions at thepoint of intersection of the cylindrical tip and the tapered baseportion. A relatively plastic ring S8 is fitted to the upper ends of thecarboloy tip portions '78 to 81 inclusive in the clearance spaceprovided between the vertical punch 84. and the associated horizontallydisposed punches '74 through 77 inclusive. When the punch 84 is moveddownwardly to exert an endwise pressure on the cylindrical sample 82,the plastic ring 88 being compressed between said surfaces will flowsufiiciently to provide a transverse support for the relatively weakintersection of the cylindrical and tapered portions of punch 84. Thelower vertical punch 86 similarly is given additional lateral support bymeans of a plastic ring 96) which abuts the lower ends of the carboloyinserts 78, 79, 80, 81, and

provides a similar support for the intersecting cylindrical and taperedportions of the lower vertical punch 86.

FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate still another construction of the loadbearing tip portions of the several cooperating punches. In these viewsthe body of the punch 101 is made of hard steel and the entire tipportion 102 is made of a very hard material, as for example, tungstencarbide. A typical operation which may be carried out in accordance withthe invention will be described in connection with FIG. 10 of thedrawings. A specimen wire 104 is tested for resistance as a function oftemperature and pressure. A sample 106 is prepared which comprises thespecimen wire 104 embedded in suitable pressure transmitting material108 such as silver chloride, and the ends of the wire are connected tometallic discs 110, 112 connected into a suitable electric circuit (notshown). The cylindrical package thus formed is then wrapped in a layerof insulating material 114 which is also ductile to ensure thetransmission of pressure through the ma- The sample is then completed byadding a thick layer of a suitable tough pressure transmitting materialsuch as talc, pipes-tone, or pyrophyllite.

When the specimen is positioned in the press and pressure is now appliedto the radially disposed punches 74, 75, 76 and 77 by the introductionof fluid under pressure into the jacket 30, and is applied to thevertically arranged punches 84 and 86 by the introduction of fluid underpressure into the upper end of ram cylinder 60 (FIG. 4), the severalpunches are forced inwardly placing the sam- The contraction of theinner jacketed cylinder insures an equal advance of each of the fourpunches engaged thereby and an exactly balanced even pressure againstall portions of the sample about said transverse periphery. The pressureof the fluid introduced into the upper end or" the ram cylinder 60 isadjusted to cause the two end punches to exert an identical pressureagainst the two ends of the sample.

As the pressure is increased, a small amount of the outer layer 116 ofthe sample, for example, pyrophyllite is forced into spaces betweenadjacent punches thus providing transverse support for tip portionsthereof.

It will be understood that the space enclosed by the cooperating punchesof a press suitable for carrying out the test above described is notnecessarily in the shape of a cube, may for example, be cylindrical inshape and much longer than it is wide. The test shown in FIG. may becarried out without the use of pressure exerting vertical punches, orwith such punches employed only to prevent extrusion of the sampleendwise.

Assuming that power is now passed through the specimen wire 104 to heatthe wire, the temperature generated by the electric current, and thevoltage drop across the ends of the wire can readily be observed aspressure and temperature are varied, thus disclosing the desiredresistance parameters.

The radial press assembly herein illustrated is well adapted foroperation with many different arrangements and shapes of punches foroperation on many different kinds and shapes of sample to be tested.

One general form of sample having four or more triangular surfacesagainst which pressure is applied is the right pyramid. FIGS. and 16illustrate one form of such a sample in the form of a tetrahedron 111which is shown as an inverted three-sided pyramid. The punch assemblycomprises three horizontally movable punches 113, 115 and 117 spacedaround the interior face of the pressure cylinder 22, and having thebottom surfaces thereof arranged to slide on the base plate 48 of thepress. A thin sheet of Tellon, or a similar lubricating material such asmolybdenum sulphide or colloidal copper, is inserted between the baseplate 48 and the movable punches 113, 115 and 117. These materials, andparticularly Teflon, my be expected to insure an easy sliding movementof said punches irrespective of the amount of the down load imposedthereon. With this arrangement a single vertically acting punch 118 isprovided which acts against the three punches 113, 115 and 117 supportedas above noted on the base plate 48. The proportions and shape of theright pyramidal sample to be tested may be readily varied by a choice inthe number of transverse punches employed to produce a four or five ormore sided pyramid. The height of the sample as compared to its basearea may readily be increased to increase the proportion of the lateralpressure applied as compared with the vertical pressure required tooffset the vertical thrust component of the three horizontal punches1E3, 115 and 117.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate another arrangement of the punches containedwithin the pressure cylinder assembly to obtain a more evenlydistributed pressure throughout a rhombic sample to be tested. In thisembodiment of the invention eight punches are employed, an upper set offour punches including punches 120, 122 and two additional punches notshown and a lower set of four punches 128, 130, 132 and 134, saidpunches having spaces therebetween to permit an unimpeded compressiveinward movement of said punches. A vertical ram 136 is arranged to exerta downward pressure on the upper group of punches including 1211*, and122, the lower group of punches being supported on the fixed base 48 ofthe press. A thin sheet of lubricating material 138 such as Teflon ispreferably placed between the ram 136 and the upper group of punches,and a similar sheet of lubricating material 140 is mounted between thebase 48 and the lower group of punches 128 to 134- inclusive to avoidfrictional loss as a result of vertical pressures. A Teflon film ispreferably placed also between each of the punches and the engaginginner load bearing surface of the pressure cylinder to facilitate axialmovement of said punches with relation to the cylinder wall. It will benoted that the rhombic sample 142 may be separated across the transverseaxis to provide two right four-sided pyramids. This construction is ofparticular value because of the elficient distribution of forcethroughout the sample and further because of the ease of assembly of thesample to be tested and the punches therewith within the pressurecylinder 22. The arrangement of the punches in this construction is suchthat the punches tend to be selfcentering so that no separating elementis necessary to provide equal air spaces between said punches prior tothe application of pressure thereto.

FIG. 19 illustrates a variant of the construction illustrated in FIGS.17 and 18 in which the tungsten carbide tips of the eight punchesemployed are shaped to form an enclosed space which is spherical inshape. This form has the imponant advantage that the stresses set up inthe sample by the operation of the several punches are eventlydistributed and are equalized throughout the mass of the sample. Theactual pressure to which one or more specimens embodied in the samplemay be subjected is more readily calculated and controlled, and the riskof fracture of the sample or of adjacent portions of the apparatus isgreatly minimized.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in whicha spherical sample is tested. This embodiment comprises fourhorizontally disposed punches 15%, 152, 154 and 156, each being formedof a hard steel base and a carboloy tip which is concave to form aspherical segment. In this form of the device two vertical punches 158and 169 are provided which are formed f hard steel with carboloy tipsconcaved to close the top and bottom punches of this spherical cavity.The spherical construction shown provides for a most efficientapplication of the impressive force throughout all portions of thesample to be tested.

FIGS. 22 to 27 inclusive illustrate still another embodiment of theinvention in which the several punches contained within the pressurecylinder are subjected to compressive forces suflicient to advance thepunches inwardly to a position in which they become self-supporting andcapable of withstanding a further substantial increase of pressure. Suchfurther increase in pressure may be effected mechanically, asparticularly illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 24 inclusive, or in someinstances by heating the sample, as for example, by electrical means asshown in FIGS. 25 to 27 inclusive. Referring particularly to FIGS. 22 to24, an arrangement of six punches is shown mounted within the pressurecylinder including four radially disposed punches 17ll, 2'72, 174 and176. Said radially disposed punches are constructed and arranged withrelatively wide spaces separating them except for the internal or tipportions of said punches which are separated by much smaller spacesindicated at 180. The radial punches and the spaces are so proportionedthat a compressive inward movement of said punches to their inmostposition will cause said spaces 180 to be entirely closed. The tipportions of the radial punches 1769 to 176, as specifically shown inFIG. 24, will then be engaged with one another and each tip will thusderive additional support from its pressure contact with the adjacentpunches on both sides thereof. In this embodiment of the invention thetwo vertical punches 182, 184 are adapted now to be forced relativelytoward one another to still further increase the total pressure exertedagainst a sample 186.

In the alternative construction of FIGS. 25 to 27 inclusive the sameradial punches 1'70 to 176 may be employed, but two vertical punches128, in this instance will be similarly formed to provide a relativelywide separation of the vertical from the horizontal punches throughoutthe outer portions of the punches, but a relatively small separation attip portion thereof. It is here assumed that all of the punches aremoved inwardly under the influence of a compressive force which willmove the several punches simultaneously to a fully compressed 9 positionas show nin FIG. 27 in which the tip portions of all of said puncheswill engage with one another under high pressure to provide a maximum oflateral support for said tip portions. In this case an electric circuitis employed to apply a substantial amount of concentrated heat to thesample. The circuit employed comprises two electrodes 192, 193 connectedrespectively to radial punches 17d and 174. Further, in this form of thedevice, a cooling water jacket 200 is provided around the pressurecylinder to draw off excess heat generated in the process. In this formof the device, pressure is initially applied against a sample 202mechanically by the simultaneous advance of each of several punches inresponse to the application of a compressive force until said punchesreach a fully compressed position in which the tip portion of each punchis engaged with and derives a substantial lateral support from saidcontact with each punch adjacent thereto. Thereafter the electriccircuit is energized applying an electrical heating current to thesample which is thus caused to expand with a consequent rapid furtherrise of the pressure load to which the said punches are subjected.

The invention having been described what is claimed is:

1. In a high pressure press, the combination of a pressure applyingassembly for directing pressure against an enclosed space including apressure applying metallic cylinder having load bearing internal wallsurfaces, said walls being of a thickness to support within the limitsof elastic recovery high compressive external pressures applied aboutthe periphery of said cylinder, and a metallic jacketing cylinder, saidcylinders being separated and having formed therebetween shoulderedfluid pressure sealing 10 of an enclosed space in the form of atetrahedron said sides tapering longitudinally and inwardly toward theaxis of said cylinder having the apex of said sides toward said axialbearing surface and an additional tapered punch disposed toward theopposite end of said cylinder having the tip end thereof forming afourth side of said tetrahedron lying in a plane perpendicular to saidcylinder axis closing the base of said tetrahedron, and press meansacting simultaneously with tions to apply a compressive force upon saidtetrahedral end portions and high pressure sealing means defining afluid pressure containing jacket externally of said metallic cylinder, aplurality of circularly arranged tapered punches engaging said loadbearing internal wall surfaces about the periphery of said walls andhaving central space enclosing tip portions, and means for applyingfluid under pressure to said jacket thereby compressing said metalliccylinder to an extent within said limit of elastic recovery and movingsaid punches radially inwardly to apply a compressive force upon saidenclosed space.

2. In a high pressure press, according to claim 1, the combination ofsupporting means on which said pressure applying cylinder is freelyaxially adjustable, a fixed pressure exerting element having an axiallydirected load bearing surface at one end of said cylinder, a movablepressure exerting element having an axially directed load bearingsurface at the other end of said cylinder, axially movable taperedpunches engaging said axially directed load bearing surfaces, pressureoperated means acting simultaneously with said means for applyinginwardly directed pressure against said cylinder to apply compressivepressure against said movable pressure exerting ele ment, and thereby tomove said punches inwardly from both said radial and axial directionswith a corresponding axial adjustment of said cylinder.

3. In a high pressure press, the combination of a pressure applyingassembly for directing pressure against an enclosed space including apressure applying metallic cylinder having load bearing internal wallsurfaces, said walls being of a thickness to support within the limitsof elastic recovery high compressive externalpressures applied about theperiphery of said cylinder, and a metallic jacketing cylinder, saidcylinders being separated and having formed therebetween shoulderedfluid pressure sealing end portions and high pressure sealing meansdefining a fluid pressure containing jacket externally of said metalliccylinder, pressure supporting elements having axially directed loadbearing surfaces at each end of said cylinder, three tapered punchesfitted circularly within said cylinder in contact with said load bearinginternal wall surfaces and in sliding contact with one of said axialload bearing surfaces, the inwardly disposed tip ends thereof definingthree adjacent sides enclosed space.

4. In a high pressure press, the combination of load bearing surfacesarranged for directing pressure against an enclosed space including apressure applying metallic cylinder having load bearing internal wallsurfaces, said walls being of a thickness to support within the limitsof elastic recovery high compressive external pressures applied aboutthe periphery of said cylinder, and a metallic jacketing cylinder, saidcylinders being separated and having formed therebetween shoulderedfluid pressure end portions defining a fluid pressure containing jacketexternally of said metallic cylinder, a relatively fixed axiallydirected load bearing surface at one end of said cylinder, and anaxially movable load bearing surface at the other end of said cylinder,a plurality of tapered punches fitted within said cylinder in contactwith said load bearing wall surface, and a tapered punch at each end ofsaid cylinder in contact with said respective axially directed loadbearing surface, the inwardly disposed tip ends of said punches definingsaid enclosed space, resilient means supporting said cylinder permittingadjustment of said cylinder longitudinally of its axis, and means forapplying compressive fluid pressure against said punches including meansfor applying fluid under pressure to said jacket thereby compressingsaid steel cylinder around the periphery thereof to reduce the internaldiameter of said cylinder, and means for applying pressure to move saidmovable axially directed load bearing surface, said cylinder and punchesfitted therein moving axially to maintain a centered relation betweensaid end punches.

5. In a high pressure press, the combination of load bearing surfacesarranged for directing pressure against a sample containing enclosedspace including a pressure applying metallic cylinder having walls ofsubstantial thickness, load bearing internal Wall surfaces the walls ofsaid cylinder being of a thickness to support within the limits ofelastic recovery high compressive external pressure applied about theperiphery of said cylinder, a metallic jacketing cylinder, saidcylinders being separated and having formed therebetween shoulderedfluid pressure sealing end portions and high pressure sealing meansdefining a fluid pressure containing jacket externally of said metalliccylinder, additional pressure exerting elements having axially directedload bearing surfaces, said elements being relatively movable axially ofsaid cylinder, a group of tapered punches fitted at equally spacedintervals about the inner periphery of said cylinder and slidablysupported against one of said axially directed load bearing surfaces, asecond group of punches fitted at equally spaced intervals against theinner periphery of said cylinder adjacent said first mentioned punchesand slidably supported against the other of said axially directed loadbearing surfaces, the inner ends of said punches having faces shaped toenclose said space, each said face being shaped to exert pressure bothradially and axially inwardly of said space, and means for applyingfluid under pressure to said jacket to produce compressive pressureagainst said cylinder around the periphery thereof and against saidadditional pressure exerting elements to apply a compressive forcethrough said punches against a sample contained in said enclosed space.

6. In a high pressure press, the combination of a pressure applyingassembly for directing pressure against an enclosed space including apressure applying metallic cylinder having load bearing internal wallsurfaces, said Walls being of a thickness to support Within the limitsof elastic recovery high compressive external pressures applied aboutthe peri hery of said cylinder, and a metallic jacketing cylinder, saidcylinders being separated and having formed therebetween shoulderedfluid pressure sealing end portions and high pressure sealing meansdefining a fluid pressure containing jacket externally of said metalliccylinder, pressure exerting elements at each end of said cylinder havingopposed axially directed load bearing surfaces, a plurality of taperedpunches supported Within said cylinder arranged so that the tip portionsthereof define an enclosed space, a plurality of said punches beingarranged circularly for engagement with the load bearing internal wallsurfaces within said cylinder, and certain of said punches havingengagement with said axially directed load bearing surfaces, means forapplying fluid under pressure to said jacket thereby compressing saidmetallic cylinder within said limit of elastic recovery and moving thepunches engaged thereby radially inwardly, and independent pressureapplying means acting against at least one said axially directed loadbearing surface to move said punches engaged there with axiallyinwardly.

7. In a high pressure press, the combination of a pressure applyingassembly for directing pressure against an enclosed space including apressure applying metallic cylinder having load bearing internal wallsurfaces, said walls being of a thickness to support within the limitsof elastic recovery high compressive external pressures applied aboutthe periphery of said cylinder, and a metallic jacketing cylinder, saidcylinders being separated and having formed therebetween saoulderedfluid pressure sealing end portions and high pressure sealing meansdefining a fiuid pressure containing jacket externally of said metalliccylinder, pressure exerting elements at each end of said cylinder havingopposed axially directed load bearing surfaces, a plurality of taperedpunches supported within said cylinder arranged so that the tip portionsthereof define an enclosed space, a plurality of said punches beingarranged circularly for engagement with the load bearing internal wallsurfaces within said cylinder, and certain of said punches havingengagement with said axially directed load bearing surfaces, and meansfor applying iluid under pressure to said jacket thereby compressingsaid metallic cylinder within said limit of elastic recovery and movingthe punches engaged thereby radially inwardly to apply a compressiveforce upon said enclosed space.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,367,779 Hull Jan. 23, 1945 2,612,673 Billner Oct. 7, 1952 2,658,237Cuppett et al Nov. 10, 1953 2,876,072 Coes Mar. 3, 1959 2,941,252Bovenerly June 21, 1960 2,996,763 Wentorf Aug. 22, 1961 3,011,043Zeitlin et al Nov. 28, 1961

4. IN A HIGH PRESSURE PRESS, THE COMBINATION OF LOAD BEARING SURFACESARRANGED FOR DIRECTING PRESSURE AGAINST AN ENCLOSED SPACE INCLUDING APRESSURE APPLYING METALLIC CYLINDER HAVING LOAD BEARING INTERNAL WALLSURFACES, SAID WALLS BEING OF A THICKNESS TO SUPPORT WITHIN THE LIMITSOF ELASTIC RECOVERY HIGH COMPRESSIVE EXTERNAL PRESSURES APPLIED ABOUTTHE PERIPHERY OF SAID CYLINDER, AND A METALLIC JACKETING CYLINDER, SAIDCYLINDERS BEING SEPARATED AND HAVING FORMED THEREBETWEEN SHOULDEREDFLUID PRESSURE END PORTIONS DEFINING A FLUID PRESSURE CONTAINING JACKETEXTERNALLY OF SAID METALLIC CYLINDER, A RELATIVELY FIXED AXIALLYDIRECTED LOAD BEARING SURFACE AT ONE END OF SAID CYLINDER, AND ANAXIALLY MOVABLE LOAD BEARING SURFACE AT THE OTHER END OF SAID CYLINDER,A PLURALITY OF TAPERED PUNCHES FITTED WITHIN SAID CYLINDER IN CONTACTWITH SAID LOAD BEARING WALL SURFACE, AND A TAPERED PUNCH AT EACH END OFSAID CYLINDER IN CONTACT WITH SAID RESPECTIVE AXIALLY DIRECTED LOADBEARING SURFACE, THE INWARDLY DISPOSED TIP ENDS OF